MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Much of West Virginia’s success this season has been predicated on an ability to force turnovers, with the Mountaineers leading major college basketball by forcing nearly 25 on average ahead of Tuesday’s matchup against Texas Tech at the WVU Coliseum.
Against the Red Raiders, that facet was again on display, though West Virginia coasted to an 82-59 victory in large part on the strength of its offensive execution.
The Mountaineers (20-2, 9-2) shot 56 percent and made 28-of-44 field-goal attempts through three quarters in what marked their seventh straight win.
West Virginia shot better than 50 percent in each of the first three quarters, including 11 for 16 during a dominant third period that enabled the Mountaineers to up a 12-point halftime lead into a 70-38 advantage ahead of the fourth frame.
“We weren’t as dialed in as we needed to be, but still played OK and started to settle in during the second quarter,” WVU head coach Mark Kellogg said, “and then that third quarter was fantastic and us at our best.”
JJ Quinerly scored 11 of her game-high 21 points in the third, while Kylee Blacksten accounted for all but two of her 10 points that quarter.
That duo accounted for the first six points after halftime, including consecutive baskets from Blacksten that left Texas Tech (16-8, 5-6) facing a 46-28 deficit 1:17 into the third quarter.
“We came out in the third quarter with more intensity and energy,” Quinerly said, “and it made it a better game for us offensively and defensively.”
After Bailey Maupin scored on a second chance opportunity for the Red Raiders’ first points of the second half, Blacksten countered with a layup that marked the start of eight straight WVU points. Kyah Watson, Jordan Harrison and Lauren Fields accounted for the other baskets during that stretch, which ended with the Mountaineers leading 54-30 halfway through the frame.
Late in the third, Quinerly accounted for nine straight WVU points in what marked a 9-2 Mountaineer run. The guard made a three-pointer, two driving layups and a pair of free throws during that stretch.
“The third quarter was a disaster,” Texas Tech head coach Krista Gerlich said. “We competed pretty well in the first half even though we made some critical mistakes, turned the ball over more than we should have and missed some layups. We can’t come out and turn the basketball over immediately. We had a complete meltdown and didn’t have enough about us to turn it around if you will.”
Watson sparked the Mountaineers with seven points and four rebounds in the opening quarter, which WVU finished with a 17-11 lead.
“The coaching staff and my teammates have a lot of confidence in me,” Watson said.
Tavy Diggs accounted for the first two field goals of the second quarter, the second of which gave the Mountaineers a 21-11 advantage for the first double-digit margin of the matchup.
Texas Tech ran off six straight points just before the halfway point of the second quarter, a stretch that ended with a Rhyle McKinney trey to bring the visitors to within 25-21.
But starting with Jordan Harrison’s layup 4:46 before halftime, the Mountaineers outscored the Red Raiders 15-7 the remainder of the first half and went to the break leading, 40-28.
Thirty-two of the Mountaineers’ 44 paint points came in the opening half, while WVU held a 15-6 advantage in points off turnovers through two quarters.
Quinerly’s game-high point total came on 9-of-14 shooting.
“She was efficient and did JJ things,” Kellogg said.
Watson added 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting to go with a team-high eight rebounds, while Fields scored 11 and Blacksten was the fourth double-figure scorer in the win.
Harrison contributed seven points, six assists and a game-best five steals as the Mountaineers forced 24 of the game’s 39 turnovers.
The Mountaineers had 23 fast break points to the Red Raiders’ four.
All but two of WVU’s points came in the paint (48), on threes (21) or free throws (11).
“The goal is always rim, free throws and threes,” Kellogg said. “There’s certain times to take the midrange, but if not, then continue to do that. We moved the ball a little bit better tonight via the pass. Sixteen assists is maybe a couple lower than we’d like, but better than what it’s been.”
Texas Tech, which out-rebounded the Mountaineers 38-26, got 16 points from Jasmine Shavers and 13 from Jordyn Merritt.
With the result, the Mountaineers tied the school record for fastest team to 20 victories, matching a feat also accomplished by the 1991-92 and 2009-10 teams.
“These players fit my personality,” Kellogg said. “It’s been a great marriage.”